GPU Video Decoding & Encoding Not Working On Linux

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Introduction

GPU video acceleration is a feature that allows your computer's graphics processing unit (GPU) to handle video decoding and encoding tasks, freeing up your central processing unit (CPU) for other tasks. However, some users may experience issues with GPU video decoding and encoding on Linux, despite having a compatible GPU and a properly configured system. In this article, we will explore the possible causes of this issue and provide a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.

Understanding the Issue

GPU video acceleration is working on your system, but the video decoding and encoding part is not functioning as expected. You have tried using various supported video codecs, including AV1, VP9, H264, and H265, but none of them show video decoder usage. Additionally, you have not tried video encoding, but the logs indicate that it is also not working.

System Configuration

You are using Fedora Silverblue 42 with an RX 6600 XT GPU. This configuration is compatible with GPU video acceleration, but it seems that there is an issue with the video decoding and encoding part.

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Check the GPU Driver

The first step is to check the GPU driver version and ensure that it is up-to-date. You can check the driver version by running the command glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer" in the terminal. If the driver is outdated, update it to the latest version.

2. Check the Chromium Configuration

Chromium is a web browser that uses the GPU for video decoding and encoding. You may need to customize the Chromium configuration to enable GPU video acceleration. Check the chromium.conf file for any customizations that may be required.

3. Check the Video Codecs

You have already tried using various supported video codecs, but it's worth checking again to ensure that they are properly installed and configured. You can check the video codecs by running the command ffmpeg -codecs in the terminal.

4. Check the Logs

The logs may provide valuable information about the issue. Check the logs for any errors or warnings related to GPU video acceleration.

5. Compare with a Working System

You can compare your system configuration with a working system, such as Trivalent, to identify any differences that may be causing the issue.

Comparing with Trivalent

Trivalent is a system that has GPU video acceleration working properly. You can compare your system configuration with Trivalent to identify any differences that may be causing the issue. Check the chrome://gpu report files for Trivalent to see how it is configured.

Full chrome://gpu Report Files

You can download the full chrome://gpu report files for Trivalent and compare them with your own report files. This may help you identify any differences that may be causing the issue.

Conclusion

GPU video decoding and encoding not working on Linux can be a frustrating issue, but it is often caused by a simple configuration issue. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue. Remember to check the GPU driver, Chromium configuration, video codecs, logs, and compare with a working system to ensure that everything is properly configured.

Additional Resources

FAQs

Q: What is GPU video acceleration?

A: GPU video acceleration is a feature that allows your computer's graphics processing unit (GPU) to handle video decoding and encoding tasks, freeing up your central processing unit (CPU) for other tasks.

Q: Why is GPU video acceleration not working on my system?

A: There may be several reasons why GPU video acceleration is not working on your system, including outdated GPU drivers, incorrect Chromium configuration, or missing video codecs.

Q: How can I troubleshoot GPU video acceleration issues?

A: You can troubleshoot GPU video acceleration issues by checking the GPU driver, Chromium configuration, video codecs, logs, and comparing with a working system.

Q: What is the difference between GPU video decoding and encoding?

Q: What is GPU video acceleration?

A: GPU video acceleration is a feature that allows your computer's graphics processing unit (GPU) to handle video decoding and encoding tasks, freeing up your central processing unit (CPU) for other tasks.

Q: Why is GPU video acceleration not working on my system?

A: There may be several reasons why GPU video acceleration is not working on your system, including:

  • Outdated GPU drivers
  • Incorrect Chromium configuration
  • Missing video codecs
  • Incompatible system configuration
  • Conflicting software or hardware

Q: How can I troubleshoot GPU video acceleration issues?

A: You can troubleshoot GPU video acceleration issues by:

  • Checking the GPU driver version and updating it to the latest version
  • Customizing the Chromium configuration to enable GPU video acceleration
  • Checking the video codecs and installing any missing codecs
  • Comparing your system configuration with a working system
  • Checking the logs for any errors or warnings related to GPU video acceleration

Q: What is the difference between GPU video decoding and encoding?

A: GPU video decoding refers to the process of decoding video files using the GPU, while GPU video encoding refers to the process of encoding video files using the GPU.

Q: Can I use GPU video acceleration with other browsers?

A: Yes, you can use GPU video acceleration with other browsers, but it may require additional configuration or customization.

Q: How can I enable GPU video acceleration in Chromium?

A: To enable GPU video acceleration in Chromium, you can follow these steps:

  1. Open the Chromium browser and type chrome://flags in the address bar.
  2. Search for the "GPU acceleration" flag and enable it.
  3. Restart the Chromium browser.

Q: What are the benefits of using GPU video acceleration?

A: The benefits of using GPU video acceleration include:

  • Improved video playback performance
  • Reduced CPU usage
  • Increased system responsiveness
  • Enhanced multimedia capabilities

Q: Can I use GPU video acceleration with multiple GPUs?

A: Yes, you can use GPU video acceleration with multiple GPUs, but it may require additional configuration or customization.

Q: How can I check if my system supports GPU video acceleration?

A: You can check if your system supports GPU video acceleration by:

  • Checking the system specifications and hardware configuration
  • Running the glxinfo command to check the GPU driver version and capabilities
  • Checking the Chromium browser's chrome://gpu report for GPU acceleration information

Q: What are some common issues with GPU video acceleration?

A: Some common issues with GPU video acceleration include:

  • Incompatible system configuration
  • Conflicting software or hardware
  • Outdated GPU drivers
  • Incorrect Chromium configuration
  • Missing video codecs

Q: How can I resolve GPU video acceleration issues?

A: You can resolve GPU video acceleration issues by:

  • Checking the system configuration and hardware
  • Updating the GPU drivers to the latest version
  • Customizing the Chromium configuration to enable GPU video acceleration
  • Installing any missing video codecs
  • Comparing your system configuration with a working system

Conclusion

GPU video decoding and encoding not working on Linux can be a frustrating issue, but it is often caused by a simple configuration issue. By following the troubleshooting steps and FAQs outlined in this article, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue. Remember to check the GPU driver, Chromium configuration, video codecs, logs, and compare with a working system to ensure that everything is properly configured.